On October 24th, 2018, Emergent BioSolutions announced that it would make NARCAN® nasal spray, the first and only FDA-approved treatment nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose, available to YMCAs across the nation at no cost. The announcement was in conjunction with the President’s signing of the recently passed Opioid Crisis Response Act.

As a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y responds to society’s most pressing issues by developing innovative, community-based solutions to help those in need. The Y understands the challenges that keep individuals from reaching their full potential and responds with services and support to help individuals and families to be self-reliant, productive, and connected to the community.

Many opioid emergencies occur in public settings. Therefore, many public health officials, including the U.S. Surgeon General, advocate that community-based organizations to keep Naloxone/NARCAN on hand in the event of opioid emergencies and understand how to use it.

YMCAs have a long history of providing communities with prevention and treatment services. Located in 10,000 communities across the country, Ys are often on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, not only providing support to individuals and their families but also to communities that have been impacted, especially in the hardest hit states.

Because Ys are trusted community resources, it’s important to be part of the conversation around this epidemic in whatever way is most appropriate for each community. This opportunity enables Ys to determine if keeping NARCAN in their facilities is in the best interest of their members and communities. We are grateful to Emergent BioSolutions for providing Ys nationwide with this opportunity.

Did the Y support the Opioid Crisis Response Act?

As Ys work to respond to community needs regarding substance use disorders and better understand the role Ys can play in this crisis, Y-USA provided comments and input to lawmakers throughout the development of the bill, particularly around elevating provisions that encourage a trauma-informed approach to care and in support of language inclusive of the role youth-serving, community-based organizations can play. Y-USA is pleased that the provisions we advocated for were included in the final bill.